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'A.  «•> -'  '*'   ' 


THOUGHTS  on  the 

Surging  of  PsaIms  and  Anthems 
IN  churches 


■ 


R-*i3M*i                           rr-.>^>r_i 

Sol  af^&EaXBSrTai 

fiwRHr 

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SiHH^^^n^  ^Om^S 

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FROM   THE  LIBRARY  OF 
REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.  D.  D. 


BEQUEATHED   BY  HIM  TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


THOUGHTS 


ON    THE 


SINGING  OF  PSALMS  AND  ANTHEMS 
IN  CHURCHES. 


THOUGHTS  ON  THE    SINGING  OF  PSALMS  AND 
ANTHEMS  IN  CHURCHES. 


THE  author  of  the  following  remarks  thinks  proper  to 
begin  them  with  the  demand  of  there  being  conceded  to  him, 
that  the  exciting  and  the  increasing  of  devout  affections,  is  the 
only  reason  which  can  be  given  for  the  enlivening  of  the  devo- 
tions of  the  Church  with  the  charms  of  Poetry,  and  with  those 
of  Music. 

Let  the  reader  pause  at  this  place,  and  frame  in  his  own 
mind,  either  a  denial  or  an  acknowledgement  of  what  has  just 
now  been  affirmed  to  be  the  reason — the  only  reason  of  sing- 
ing in  religious  assemblies.  If  he  deny  this,  he  had  best  lay 
down  this  essay,  it  being  not  designed  for  him.  If  he  ac- 
knowledge the  principle,  there  is  asked  of  him  no  more  than 
to  admit  whatever  shall  be  fairly  inferred  from  it. 

Perhaps,  however,  the  assuming  of  such  premises  may  seem 
uncharitable  ;  and  it  may  be  supposed  impossible,  that  any 
should  plead  for  another  object  than  that  stated.  But  it  is  not 
impossible,  and  the  caution  cannot  be  uncharitable  ;  because 
there  is  occasionally  heard  the  plea  of  mere  gratification  or 
amusement,  and  that  by  persons  who  would  reject  the  imputa- 
tion of  designed  indecorum  ;  and  who  would  contend  for  the 
matter,  as  an  expedient  to  bring  people  together  for  their  edifi- 
cation. O  deplorable  insensibility  to  the  sanctity  of  the  place ! 
as  if  the  mixingof  edification  with  amusement  were  cither  con- 
sistent with  the  professed  design,  under  which  it  was  set  apart, 
or  likely  to  be  subservient  to  the  duties  to  which  it  is  apnropri- 


2  Singing  of  Psalms  and  Anthems, 

ated!  If  amusement,  however  innocent,  were  admissible,  there 
might  be  mentioned  many  kinds  of  such  amusement,  which 
would  tend  more  powerfully  to  the  effect.    They  would  also* 
be  less  exceptionable  than  the  singing  of  mock  praises  ;  for 
such  are  words  of  praise  not  intended  to  occupy  the  mind; 
and  especially  when  accompanied  by  notes,  calculated  to  efface 
any  serious  impression  which  may  have  been  produced  by  a 
better  exercise.     We  read  in  scripture,  that  St.  Paul,  after 
having  given  instructions  relative  to  the  due  performance  of 
divine  service,  represents  as  a  probable consequence  of  practis- 
ing what  he  had  prescribed,  that  an  unbeliever,  on  being  pre- 
sent, would  fall  down  and  worship.     Will  the  advocate  for 
amusement  anticipate  such  an  effect,  or  think  it  at  all  probable? 
Or  rather,  is  it  not  much  more  probable,  and  has  it  not  hap- 
pened, that  while  the  unbeliever  has  been  varying  the  motions 
of  his  limbs  and  of  his  fingers  to  the  airs  of  the  merry  music, 
seriousChristians*have  gone  off  from  it  with  sorrow  and  disgust? 
It  is  not  uncommon  to  meet  with  persons  who  have  abandoned 
our  communion,  on  the  avowed  principle,  that  they  observed 
in  it  too  little  of  seriousness  and  too  much  of  levity.   It  is  easy 
to  answer  such  a  mistaken  reason  of  separation,  so  long  as  our 
service  is  what  it  ought  to  be.   But  the  same  is  not  easy  when 
levity  is  encouraged  and  seriousness  made  to  give  way  to 
amusement,  in  the  very  ordering  of  the  service. 

Let  it  not  be  objected,  that  the  allowed  end  of  sacred  music 
is  accomplished  through  the  medium  of  the  pleasing  emotions 
Which  it  excites.  This  must  be  acknowledged  ;  but  a  distinc- 
tion is  to  be  taken  between  the  making  of  devotion  pleasing  by 
the  aid  of  music,  and  the  applying  of  music  to  convey  a  plea- 
sure not  intended  to  be  instrumental  to  devotion.  It  is  this 
which  is  here  reprobated  as  unseasonable,  and  indeed  profane. 
There  was  a  necessity  to  combat  this  error ;  not  only  be- 
cause it  has  been  explicitly  avowed,  but  because  its  influ- 
ence has  been  perceivable  in  most  of  the  abuses  to  be  deplo- 
red :  and  it  may  be  proper  now  to  apply  to  these  the  principle 
which  was  set  out  with  ;  dividing  the  subject  into  two  branch- 
es, that  of  Anthems,  and  that  of  Psaxms. 

By  Anthems,  are  meant  passages  of  Holy  Scripture,  se- 
lected with  a  view  to  their  being  sung  in  an  higher  species  of 
music  than  that  of  common  psalmody  ;  this  being  the  meaning 


;  <>l  Psalmi  and  Anthems, 

oi'tUe  word  as  banded  down  to  us  by  the  Church  of  England. 
If  we  extend  it  to  other  compositi  >ns,  and  admit  them,  il 
violation  of  the  Rubrics  of  our  Church  ;  and  as  the  practice  is 
irregular,  so  the  bad  consequences  of  it  arc  obvious.  If  any  one 

Minister  have  a  right  to  introduce  into  bis  Church,  a  poetical 
composition  worth}  of  the  occasion.  yet  not  sanctioned  I))'  the 
Episcopal  Church,  every  minister  of  a  parish  mav  do  the  same; 
and  being  equally  left  to  his  discretion,  he  may  require  his  con- 
gregation to  sing  out  of  some  insipid  lmnn  book.  In  such  a 
case,  it  would  be  inconsistent  to  censure  him,  unless  indeed  on 
account  of  some  false  doctrine  introduced.  But  he  may  avoid 
this,  and  yet  burthen  the  people  with  effusions  which  arc  lit- 
tle of  a  piece  with  the  rational  worship  of  our  Church. 

Next  it  should  be  observed  of  anthems,  that  they  and  the 
music  to  accompany  them  should  be  selected  by  skilful  persons, 
and  not  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  performers.  In  the  fine 
arts  of  Poetry,  Painting,  and  Music,  we  meet  with  inamora- 
tos, who  become  extravagantly  fond  each  of  his  favourite  art, 
without  discovering  any  tolerable  measure  of  taste  or  genius 
in  that  with  which  he  is  so  much  delighted.  But  to  be  at  con- 
siderable pains  to  accomplish  an  extraordinary  musical  exhi- 
bition in  our  churches,  and  then  to  hear  of  persons  of  known 
taste,  that  they  turn  from  it  in  disgust,  is  humiliating  in  the 
extreme.  This,  however,  has  sometimes  happened  in  rela- 
tion both  to  the  words  and  music.  In  regard  to  the  former, 
there  have  been  known  sentences  strung  together,  not  only 
without  any  connection  of  sense,  but  in  contrariety  to  both 
sense  and  grammar. 

Another  maxim  should  be  the  requiring  of  the  singers  to  he 
masters  of  their  respective  parts  before  they  perform  in  the 
presenceof  the  congregation:  some  acknowledged  judge  pledg- 
ing his  opinion  that  they  are  qualified.  The  proposal  of  ma- 
king the  church  asinging  school,  during  the  time  appropriated 
for  worship,  is  too  shameful  to  be  ever  brought  forward  in 
form  ;  and  yet  the  principle  has  been  practised  on  very  often, 
to  tin'  great  dissatisfaction  of  congregations  ;  and,  it  is  to  be 
hoped,  with  errcat  self-reproach  in  the  minds  of  Ministers  for 
not  having  interfered  with  more  authority  in  the  way  of  pre- 
vention. Under  this  head  it  may  be  proper  to  insert  the  rcquir- 
ingof  every  performer  to  keep  himself  within  proper  bounds. 


4  Singing  of  Psalms  and  Anthems. 

as  to  the  elevation  of  his  voice.     Every  one  knows  that  the 
designed  effect  of  the  music  can  be  produced  no  otherwise  than 
by  a  judicious  combination.     But  some  vain  young  man — for 
what  but  vanity  can  be  the  cause — imagines  that  his  voice  is 
entitled  to  be  heard  above  the  voices  of  his  companions.     To 
any  ear  even  tolerably  correct,  this  would  spoil  the  finest  mu- 
sic ever  heard.     What  then  is  to  be  the  consequence  ?  shall 
such  a  coxcomb  be  endured,  or  shall  he  be  affronted?  If  the 
former,  how  inconsistent  is  it  to  demand  credit  for  a  perfor- 
mance, as  an  improvement  of  the  service,  although  evidently 
a  debasement  of  it !   The  latter  part  of  the  alternative  is  in- 
deed disagreeable  ;  but  as  experience  shows  that  this  is  inse- 
parably attached  to  the  projected   improvement,  the  latter 
should  not  be   attempted  without  there  being  some  persons 
who  will  undertake  to  prevent  or  to  remedy  the  abuse. 

Next  to  proper  singing,  there  may  be  mentioned  proper  be- 
haviour, in  decorum  suited  to  the  place  and  the  occasion. 
Among  the  young  men  admitted  to  our  orchestras,  there  have 
been  many  instances  of  gross  levity.  Of  this  scandalous  abuse 
there  have  been  many  mourning  witnesses.   We  may  be  as- 
sured, that  the  endurance  of  it  has  a  fendency  to  injure  our 
Church,  in  a  degree  for  which  no  singing  can  be  a  recompense. 
To  accomplish  a  suitable  carriage  in  the  Church,  among  all 
the  members  of  it  in  their  respective  pews,  must  be  a  difficult 
task,  however  worthy  of  being  attempted.   Although  indeco- 
rum should  be  suppressed,  it  must  rise  to  a  certain  height  be- 
fore interference  can  be  justifiable.  And  even  if  palpable  in- 
decorum should  be  overlooked,  the  disgusted  observer,  if  rea- 
sonable, will  make  allowance  for  a  natural  backwardness  to  the 
disagreeable  office  of  rebuke  in  public,  and  will  not  take  for 
granted,  that  either  the  Clergy  or  the  lay  gentlemen  in  autho- 
rity are  indifferent  to  the  prostitution  of  the  place,  and  the  in- 
sult offered  to  the  service.  But  for  the  winking  at  indecorum 
in  a  part  of  the  Church  under  their  immediate  inspection,  and 
entirely  at  their  command,  no  such  allowance  is  due  ;  neither 
is  there  a  probability  of  its  being  made.     On  the  contrary, 
it  is  most  likely  that  a  disparaging  opinion  is  formed  of  the 
religious  characters  of  those  who  are  indifferent,  or  supposed 
to  be  indifferent  to  so  great  an  evil. 

When  it  has  happened,  and,  it  is  confessed  with  pleasure,  to 


Sinking  of  Psal»ir,  and  Anthems.  5 

have  happened*  though  seldom,  thai  the  anthem,  that  the  mu- 
sic, and  that  the  performance  has  been  what  good  sens.-,  what 

good  taste,  and  what  good  manners  dictate,  the  exhibition 
must  have  afforded  an  high  gratification  to  very  many  ;  and 
it  is  difficult  to  perceive  on  what  ground  any  person  can  have 
reasonably  taken  offence,  unless  on  that  of  the  words  being 
unknown  to  the  congregation*  Thifl  might  he  prevented,  hy 
authorising  select  anthems  to  he  printed,  and  sold  at  the  price 
of  a  few  cents  per  copy.  A  sheet  of  paper  would  hold  as 
many  as  any  Church  can  have  occasion  for.  Still,  however, 
let  it  he  remembered,  that  the  selection  should  be  confined 
to  passages  of  Scripture  ;  for  any  thing  further  would  be  con- 
trary to  the  Rubrics. 

Before  the  leaving  of  the  pnocont  i.ranoh  of  the  aubject,  it 
may  be  proper  to  mention,  that  the  abuses  stated  under  it  are 
all  of  such  a  nature  as  more  than  disappoint  any  benefit  or 
religious  gratification  to  be  expected  ;  and  that,  accordingly, 
no  excuses,  grounded  on  the  difficulty  of  guarding  against 
the  abuses,  are  to  be  admitted.  Such  excuses  prove,  if  any 
thing,  much  more  than  is  attended  by  them,  even  that  the 
exercise  in  question  should  not  be  attempted. 

The  other  branch  of  the  subject  is  common  Psalmody. 

There  has  been  sometimes,  although  seldom, the  opinion  ex- 
pressed, that  all  promiscuous  singing  had  better  be  suppress- 
ed, on  account  of  the  discordance  of  the  voices.  From  this 
opinion  the  author  of  the  present  essay  dissents  ;  and  he  will 
therefore  express  the  sentiments  which  occur  to  him  con- 
cerning the  advantages  and  incident  disadvantages. 

In  regard  to  the  former,  it  will  not  be  denied  that  the  taking 
of  the  praises  of  God  on  the  tongue  has  a  tendency  to  interest 
the  heart :  and  surely  this  rs  a  sufficient  reason  for  condescend- 
ing to  that  simpler  and  easier  music,  which  can  be  joined  in  by 
the  generality  of  the  people.  And  then,  the  effect  which  would 
he  produced  on  almost  any  mind  from  the  united  voices  of  a 
collective  body,  not  accompanied  by  manifest  absurdity,  al- 
though in  musical  strains  not  accommodated  to  a  fastidious 
ear,  must  be  confessed  a  most  important  use.  It  must  be 
evident,  that  such  an  effect  will  be  attendant  on  singing  of 
this  sort,  so  long  as  the  law  of  sympathy  shall  be  an  opera- 
ting principle  of  our  constitution.     Besides,   promiscuous 


6  Singing  of  Psalms  and  Anthems. 

singing  existed  for  some  ages  in  the  Christian  Church  before 
the  introduction  of  the  other.  And  this  is  not  a  little  in  its 
favour  :  so  that  we  should  beware  how  we  sacrifice  a  prac- 
tice of  the  times  when  piety  the  most  abounded,  for  the 
exclusive  cultivation  of  another  practice,  which  was  not 
known  until  piety  had  undergone  a  visible  decline. 

As  to  the  disadvantages  of  this  general  singing,  there  may 
be  objected,  that  it  does  not  advance  that  higher  species  of 
music  which  delights  the  practised  ear.  To  this  it  is  a  sufficient 
answer,  that  divine  worship  is  not  instituted  exclusively  for 
those  who  are  proficient  in  that  art.  But  there  is  another  dis- 
advantage, which,  it  must  be  confessed,  cannot  so  easily  be 
removed,  and  perhaps  must  be  submitted  to,  in  a  degree.   It 
IS  that  of  the  too  loud  singing  of  a  few  individuals,  with  dis- 
cordant voices  ;  the  effect  sometimes  of  vanity  and  sometimes 
of  zeal.     In  relation  to  this  it  must  be  perceived,  that  where 
there  is  a  general  joining,  the  vehement  or  the  ill-timed  notes 
of  an  individual  do  not  so  easily  become  troublesome.  But  if 
an  obstinate  person  should  persevere  in  his  disturbance  of  the 
congregation,  he  should  be  tenderly  dealt  with,  but  at  all 
events  made  to  submit.  There  is  no  danger  of  the  diminution 
of  a  congregation  from  such  a  measure  as  this,  properly  con- 
ducted.    On  the  contrary,  there  is  much  more  danger  of  it 
from  that  mistaken  delicacy,  which  would  court  or  conciliate 
a  member,  by  submitting  to  his  humours,  however  unreasona- 
ble and  inconvenient,  which  makes  a  membership  contempti- 
ble by  representing  it  as  a  favour  done  by  the  party.     If  we 
drive  people  from  Church,  by  allowed  indecorum  in  the  per- 
formance, it  is  what  we  have  to  answer  for  at  the  bar  of  God. 
But  if  a  man  quit  it,  because  we  will  not  allow  him  to  be 
a  disturber,  although  we  should  admit  him  to  be  under  a 
pious  impulse,  he  is  rendered,  by  such  a  trait  of  character, 
an  unfit  member  of  any  social  body,  with  whose  comely  order 
his  prejudices  may  interfere. 

Even  if,  contrary  to  the  opinion  here  expressed,  it  be  de- 
sirable that  general  singing  should  give  way  to  the  more  culti- 
vated ;  yet  it  may  be  taken  for  granted,  that  sueh  a  change 
may  be  despaired  of,  on  account  of  the  general  dissatisfaction 
it  would  occasion  :  and  this  is  so  notorious,  that  no  proposal 
of  it  has  been  made,  although  there  is  nothing  in  our  Canons 


Singing  of  Psalms  and  Anthems. 

or  in  our  Rubrics,  to  interdict  it.  But  if  this  part  of  our 
vice  is  to  be  continued,  the  more  we  cai  improve  it,  the  better 
It  must  also  be  proper  to  induce  the  people  to  join  in  it,  by  tnj 
expedients  which  may  make  it  the  easier  to  tin  in  ;  and  espe- 
cially by  an  authoritative  prevention  ol'any  indirect  expedients 
to  prevent  them.  For  if  the  sinking  in  question  is  to  obtain, 
notwithstanding  the  objections  on  the  score  of  taste,  it  ought 
surely  to  be  cultivated,  in  defiance  of  the  self-admiration  of 
conceited  individuals.  Now,  what  is  to  be  complained  of 
under  this  head,  is  a  systematic  design  in  some  places  to  the 
opposite  end  of  difficulty  and  discouragement.  What  else  can 
be  the  motive  of  constantly  wishing*  to  change  the  tunes,  as 
soon  as  they  have  become  familiarized  to  the  people  ?  Not 
only  so,  ingenuity  is  put  to  work  for  the  accomplishment  of 
this  mischievous  end.  There  is  sometimes  taken  a  good  old 
tunc,  which  has  stood  the  test  of  critical  skill  for  many  ages  : 
a  slight  alteration  is  made,  always  for  the  worse,  and  a  new 
name  is  given  to  this  tune  ;  and  the  consequence  is,  as  was,  no 
doubt,  anticipated,  that  the  accustomed  singer  in  his  pew,  re- 
cognizing the  resemblance  of  his  old  friend,  but  not  finding 
him  the  same,  and  being  distracted  between  past  custom  and 
imaginary  improvement,  is  hushed  to  silence. 

The  expedient  to  be  here  proposed  for  the  counteracting  of 
these  abuses,  is  to  mark  in  the  margin  of  a  Prayer  Book  the 
tune  which  shall  be  thought  the  best  suited  to  each  psalm. 
Then,  when  any  psalm  is  directed  by  the  Minister,  it  will  be 
known  what  tune  is  to  accompany  it.  And  this  union  between 
psalm  and  tune  is  here  proposed  to  be  inseparable  :  because, 
it  harmonizes  with  the  principle  set  out  with  :  for  so  much 
are  we  under  the  government  of  the  law  of  association,  that 
where  there  has  been  often  an  union  of  words,  of  notes,  and 
of  feeling,  the  first  two  will  scarce  ever  be  heard,  without 
the  excitement  of  the  last.  This  is  a  fact  well  known  to 
those  who  influence  the  feelings  of  the  people  to  political  pur- 
poses, by  the  means  of  ballads.  The  matter  is  equally  true 
of  the  connection  between  psalmody  and  the  devotion  which 
it  ought  to  be  our  object  to  excite  by  it ;  and  this  affords  an 
unanswerable  argument  against  the  submitting  of  sacred  mu- 
sic to  the  direction  of  those  who  have  no  desire  of  making  it 
the  handmaid  of  devotion. 


8  Singing  of  Psalms  and  Anthems. 

Not  only  should  the  tunes  be  established,  but  they  should  be 
few,  for  the  purpose  of  rendering  them  familiar  and  easy  to 
the  people.  The  criterion  for  the  number  should  be  this  :  Esti- 
mate the  number  of  portions  which  may  be  supposed  sung  on 
Sundays,  and  on  the  principal  festivals  throughout  the  year. 
Take  such  a  divisor  as  that  the  quotient  shall  be  a  number 
confessedly  not  too  often  to  hear  a  good  tune  in  the  course  of 
of  a  year  :  the  divisor  is  the  number  of  tunes  required.  Ac- 
cording to  this  standard,  it  would  seem  that  no  Church  can 
want  more  than  from  a  dozen  to  twenty  tunes.  But  it  may  be 
said,  Is  all  improvement  in  this  line  to  be  shut  out  ?  this  is 
not  the  meaning ;  but  it  is  that  the  introduction  of  a  new  tune 
should  be  very  rare  ;  and  then,  because  it  is  better  than  some 
old  one,  which  should  give  way  to  it.* 

There  are  here  conceived  of  but  two  sources  of  objection  to 
the  scheme.  One  is,  the  very  improper  motive  of  putting  a 
stop,  as  much  as  may  be,  to  the  singing  of  the  people.  The 
other  is,  the  variety  in  which  persons  delight  to  indulge  them- 
selves in  the  exercise  of  a  natural  talent,  from  which  they  de- 
rive pleasure, and  perhaps  edification.  But  such  persons  ought 
to  make  a  distinction  between  private  gratification  and  public 
utility.  If  the  latter  is  the  most  likely  to  be  accomplished  ;  that 
is,  if  the  people  are  the  most  likely  to  be  induced  to  sing  by  a 
very  limited  though  sufficient  variety,  this  object  ought  to  go- 
vern in  the  Church,  and  a  more  extended  variety  should  be 
reserved  for  private  houses  and  for  select  companies.  They 
who  have  studied  psalmody,  and  are  much  in  the  practice  of 
it  in  private,  in  consequence  of  a  peculiar  aptitude  for  the 
employment,  do  not  always  consider  that  this  cannot  be  ex- 
pected of  the  members  of  a  congregation  generally,  who  may 
yet  join  in  what  has  been  made  easy  to  them  by  habit,  while 
they  will  think  themselves  excused,  from  the  exercise  if  it 
be  made  difficult  to  them.  The  supposition  is  still  gone  on, 
that  it  is  desirable  to  allow  their  aid  ;  for,  if  so,  the  suitable 
means  of  it  should  be  adopted. 


*  The  author  is  strengthened  in  his  opinion  by  inspection  of  a  small  book  in  his 
possession,  containing  selections  of  psalms  and  tunes,  purporting  to  be  those  sung  in. 
the  parish  church  of  St.  .tames,  Westminster.  In  that  church  there  is  morning  and 
evening  service  daily  throughout  the  year,  and  yet  the  number  of  tunes  is  twenty 


Singing  of  Psalms  and  Jhthemi.  9 

If  what  lias  been  already  recommended  should  be  steadily 
pursued,  another  evil,  of  which  (line  has  been  complaint, 
would  cease  of  course.  There  is  here  alluded  to  an  unsuitable 
junction  of  psalm  and  tune.  It  is  evident,  that  a  time  proper 
for  strains  of  praise  may  ill  suit  those  which  ere  either  plaintive 
or  merely  instructive.  And  what  is  proper  for  either  of  these 
may  he  improper  for  the  other.  This  is  an  additional  argu- 
ment for  not  leaving  musical  arrangement  to  the  discretion  of 
every  performer.  But,  as  was  said,  in  case  of  arrangement 
on  the  other  points,  there  would  he  no  need  of  any  here. 

Something  must  be  said  concerning  interludes  and  volunta- 
ries. Certainly  nothing  contrary  either  to  good  taste  or  to  de- 
cency should  be  tolerated,  for  the  gratification  of  private  whim, 
much  less  in  violation  of  all  regard  to  religion  and  to  decorum. 
Jf  the  contrary  to  this  were  understood,  when  people  are  put 
to  the  expense  of  furnishing  a  church  with  an  organ,  it  is  pro- 
bable that  there  would  be  found  few  willing  to  contribute.  In- 
deed, it  seems  impossible  to  account  for  the  prejudices  which 
some  entertain  against  organs,otherwise  than  from  an  associa- 
tion formed  in  their  minds  of  the  instruments,  with  the  recol- 
lection of  the  nuisances  which  they  are  made  to  serious  people, 
by  being  played  on  improperly.  In  regard  to  interludes,  a 
number,  adjusted  to  the  different  styles  of  music,  should  be 
selected  by  some  proficient.  There  should  be  noted,  for  the 
government  of  the  performer,  the  different  psalms  to  which 
they  are  respectively  intended  to  be  attached ;  and  there  should 
be  required  of  him  strict  regard  to  the  limits  thus  marked 
out.  The  late  Mr.  F.  Hopkinson,  a  gentleman  of  known  taste, 
in  an  essay  published  in  his  works,  has  supposed,  that  what  is 
here  treated  of  is  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  performer  ;  and 
he  has  stated,  with  great  judgment,  the  rules  which  will  govern 
such  apcrson,  if  a  master  in  the  line  of  his  profession.  But 
suppose  that  no  such  consummate  master  can  be  obtained  ;  or 
that,  if  obtained,  he  is  a  master  in  another  sense  than  the  one 
here  intended ;  that  is,  he  is  an  instructor,  and  wishes  to  in- 
crease the  number  of  his  pupils,  by  exhibiting  the  varieties  of 
his  talent  and  the  force  of  his  execution.  Is  it  not  evident,  thai 
while  he  is  at  the  organ,  his  object,  and  that  of  those  win- 
seated  him  there,  are  not  only  different,  but  in  opposition 
If  he  sacrifice  theirs  to  his,  would  such  a  liberty  be  permit- 


10  Singing  of  Psalms  and  Anthems. 

ted  in  any  other  line  ?  And  when  permitted  in  this,  are  there 
not  strong  appearances  of  its  being  the  result  of  a  want  of 
sufficient  interest  felt  by  those  who  should  control  him  ? 

As  to  voluntaries,  the  licentiousness  of  them  is  conspicuous 
in  some  places  in  those  light  airs  which  are  calculated  to  send 
people  dancing  out  of  church.  To  the  mind  of  him  who  now 
writes,  it  seems  impossible  that  any  man  who,  during  the  ser- 
vice, had  been  engaged  in  the  duties  of  it,  should,  as  soon  as 
it  is  over,  indulge  himself  in  this  light  fancy.  There  is  a  well 
known  remark  of  Mr.  Addison,  in  which  he  compares  a  light 
voluntary  after  the  service  and  the  sermon,  to  a  farce  acted 
after  a  tragedy.  In  the  latter  case  there  being  the  professed 
design,  and,  in  the  former,  strong  appearances  of  the  design 
of  effacing  any  impression  which  may  have  been  made  by  what 
went  before.  Independently  on  the  high  authority  of  Mr. 
Addison  for  taste  and  judgement,  it  may  be  affirmed,  that  the 
man  who,  having  heard  his  remark,  can  conduct  himself  with- 
out any  regard  to  the  proper  effect  of  it,  has  an  important 
change  of  mind  to  undergo,  before  he  can  be  fit  to  be  entrust- 
ed with  the  government  of  any  department  in  which  the  dig- 
nity and  decorum  of  religious  worship  are  concerned. 

On  this  part  of  the  subject  there  ought  not  to  be  omitted  a 
few  words  on  the  preposterous  practice  of  playing  between  the 
lines  of  a  verse.  From  the  essay  of  Mr.  Hopkinson  already 
alluded  to,  it  appears,  that  he  could  not  endure  this  palpable 
contradiction  of  common  sense.  And  if  a  performer  should 
be  so  dull  as  not  to  comprehend,  or  have  so  little  judgment  as 
not  to  perceive  the  force  of  the  reasons  there  opposed  to  it, 
he  should  be  required  to  submit  to  the  better  information  of 
those  whose  reputation  in  the  musical  line  is  established, 
and  their  taste  undoubted. 

If  any  should  imagine  that  there  is  an  hardship  in  subject- 
ing a  performer  to  the  rules  here  advocated,  let  them  give  a 
reason,  why  there  should  be  indulged  to  the  station  in  question 
greater  license  than  to  the  divinely  instituted  station  of  a  cler- 
gyman ?  Shall  the  latter  be  confined  to  prescribed  prayers,and 
shall  the  former  have  the  privilege  of  obtruding  what  has  the 
effect  of  counteracting  every  use  for  which  prayer  was  institu- 
ted ?  But  perhaps  it  may  be  thought  that  we  cannot  retain  or 
procure  performers  on  the  terms  proposed.  The  writer  of  this 


:  of  Psalms  and  MtheWU.  11 

lias  no  such  fear;  if  it  be  entertained  by  others,  he  n 
up  his  mind  to  the  doing  without  then*    But  he  is  convinced 
that  the  danger  is  ideal. 

On  taking  a  retrospect  of  what  lias  been  written,  in  refer- 
tin  e  to  both  the  branches  of  the  subject,  there  seems  ground 
ro  recommend  earnestly,  that  in  all  the  appointments  to  office* 
attached  to  the  musical  department,  \  in  all  (Valuing  of  choirs 
to  aid  it,  regard  should  be  had  to  the  religious  and  the  moral 
characters  of  those  who  offer.  Due  attention  to  this  would  of 
itself  prevent  many  of  the  abuses  complained  of.  Immorality 
in  either  of  these  descriptions  of  persons,  has  the  effect  of  les- 
sening the  respectability  of  the  Church  in  the  estimation  of 
the  observers.  And  as  to  religion,  although  it  is  far  from  the 
wish  of  him  who  writes,  to  force  questions  on  any  in  regard  to 
the  emotions  of  their  hearts,  yet  he  never  could  perceive  with 
what  consistency  any  who  have  not  the  appearance  of  a  pro- 
fession of  it,  can  be  permitted  to  meddle  in  our  concerns.  It 
is  true,  that  a  man  neither  moral  nor  religious,  but  entertain- 
ing due  respect  for  the  feelings  of  the  congregation,  would 
avoid  insulting  those  feelings,  by  indulging  himself  in  any 
indecorum  in  their  presence.  But  it  would  be  rather  ludi- 
crous to  make  an  ecclesiastical  provision,  having  for  its  object 
those  sensibilities,  the  want  of  which  is  a  drawback  from  the 
character  of  the  gentleman.  And,  therefore,  the  proper  rule 
is  the  requiring  of  a  religious  profession,  with  a  suitable 
practice. 

If  there  should  seem  excess  in  the  measure  of  the  censures 
of  some  of  the  abuses  stated,  it  should  be  recollected  that  they 
are  the  result  of  the  point  of  view  in  which  the  matter  is  con- 
templated: And  this  is,  that  as  our  blessed  Saviour,  when  lu- 
purged  the  temple  of  the  money-changers,  gave  as  the  reason 
of  his  conduct — "  Make  not  my  Father's  house  an  house  of 
merchandize  ;"  so,  there  is  at  least  as  much  reason  to  say — 
make  it  not  a  place  of  amusement ;  or  of  any  thing  which  has 
a  tendency  to  drive  from  the  mind  all  devotion  and  all  serious 
ness.    In  regard  to  the  most  material  of  the  abuses  complain 
ed  of,  the  writer  has  been  in  the  habit  of  considering  the  per 
petrators  of  them  as  not  having  the  fear  of  God  before  their 
eyes.  Are  there  not  then  accessible  to  such  persons  convivial 
parties  ?  are  there  not  concerts  ?  are.  there  not  theatres,  in 


12  Singing  of  Psalms  and  Anthems, 

which  they  may  gratify  their  taste  for  musical  amusement, 
without  intruding  on  our  devotions,  to  the  disturbance  of 
those  who  join  in  them  ?  Let  such  questions  occur  to  them  or 
not,  our  conduct  should  hold  out  the  language  to  them,  in 
reference  to  the  service  of  our  Church — (<  You  have  no  part 
or  lot  in  this  matter." 

There  is  not  known  to  many,  to  what  lengths  liberties  with 
us  would  be  carried  if  permitted.  One  man  publishes  a 
book  of  music,  ami  desires  of  a  Minister,  that  his  tunes  may 
be  forthwith  introduced,  for  the  readier  sale  of  his  edition. 
Another  entertains  a  kindness  for  a  certain  composer ;  and 
in  order  that  the  fruits  of  his  labour  may  be  the  better 
known  through  the  medium  of  the  service  of  a  Church,  an 
appeal  is  made  to  the  supposed  good  nature  of  its  Rector. 
And  a  third  knows  of  some  female,  who  teaches  the  elegant 
accomplishments  of  music ;  and  he  thinks  it  will  give  her  an 
eclat,  if  she  can  be  exhibited  in  an  orchestra.  Oh !  how 
easy  is  it  to  bestow  favours  of  this  sort,  under  the  cover  of 
the  principle,  that  mere  amusement  is  to  be  an  object  of 
musical  performance  in  our  Churches !  But  the  principle  is 
here  rejected,  and  the  opinion  is  avowed,  that  one  necessary 
expedient  for  the  disengaging  of  ourselves  from  the  incon- 
veniences to  which  it  has  subjected  us,  is,  not  to  suffer  the 
interference  of  those  who  hold  it,  in  any  measures  adopted 
for  the  improvement  of  our  music. 

A  distinction  should  be  observed  between  this  and  the 
making  use  of  professional  talent  in  a  safe  way ;  and  the  dis- 
tinction may  be  illustrated  thus :  If  our  Church  at  large 
were  editing  a  book  of  Common  Prayer,  and  if  the  Printer 
who  could  fabricate  the  most  complete  edition  of  it,  were  a 
man  who  felt  no  interest  in  its  contents,  we  should  approve  of 
the  employing  of  him,  although  we  should  never  have  thought 
of  consulting  him  in  the  framing  of  the  book.  On  the  same 
principle,  if  a  musical  professor,  indifferent  to  religion, 
have  composed  what  we  judge  suitable  to  our  worship,  let 
us  avail  ourselves  of  his  abilities;  but  let  us  not  submit  to 
him  the  question,  what  species  of  music  is  to  our  purpose. 

This  brings  to  mind  another  matter  worthy  of  being  no- 
ticed.   It  is  well  known  that  some  members  of  congregations 


]gktg  of  Psalms  and  Jut/it  m  .  1 . 

have  been  occasionally  offended,  bj  teeing  persons  exhibit- 
ed in  their  orchestras,  as  snipers,  who  never  appear  in  any 

Churefa  at  anv  other  tunc  ;  and  whose  occupation,  to  sa\  the. 
least,  is  iinl'a\ourahlc  to  piety  and  morals.  The  offence  has 
been  considered    by  some  others  as  the  effect  of  weakness. 

In  regard  to  persons  so  opposed  in  sentiment,  it  might,  per- 
haps, be  made  a  problem*  whether  the  difference  be  the  re- 
sult of  greater  weakness  on- one  side,  or  of  less  seriousness 

on  the  other.  But  supposing  the  matter  decided  clearly 
against  the  former,  still  it  might  be  hoped  that  the  strong 
would  bear  with  the  weak,  in  consideration  of  the  principle 
before  referred  to  in  this  essay,  that  of  the  law  of  associa- 
tion, the  force  of  which  is  so  much  recognized  by  philoso- 
phical observers  of  human  nature.  We  appeal  to  this  law, 
in  support  of  many  of  the  institutions  of  our  Church.  In 
regard  to  kneeling  in  prayer,  there  are  those  who  think  it 
worth  their  while  to  assure  us  gravely,  that  the  divine  Being 
looks  to  the  disposition  of  the  heart.  So,  when  we  consecrate 
Churches,  and  set  them  apart  from  secular  occasions,  argu- 
ments are  ostentatiously  brought  to  demonstrate  that  there 
can  be  no  sanctity  in  bricks  and  timbers.  We  cannot  de- 
fend ourselves  concerning  such  matters,  but  by  reasons  re- 
solvable into  the  said  law  of  association.  Apply  all  this  to 
the  subject  in  hand,  and  it  will  at  least  go  to  the  extent  of 
interdicting  what  has  been  stated  as  an  occasion  of  offence. 
But  it  is  time  to  hasten  to  a  conclusion  ;  and  there  shall 
only  be  solicited,  in  regard  to  all  which  has  been  written, 
that  the  propriety  of  it  may  be  judged  of  by  the  reasonable 
maxim  in  an  apocryphal  book  of  scripture — "  Whatsoever 
thou  takest  in  hand,  remember  the  end,  and  thou  shalt  never 
do  amiss." 

Philadelphia,  1808.  SILAS. 


Gaylord   Bro«. 

Makers 
Syracuse.  N.  Y. 
BK  PAT.  MR.  21. 


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